Doing Good Rewards Ride 2019

About the ride

Starting in the city of Pak Khat in Thailand’s north-east, you’ll spend three days following the incredibly bio-diverse Mekong River before heading west through villages and rural communities not often visited by foreigners. Following a well-deserved rest day in the middle, you’ll ride into our Home Hug in Yasothon on the fifth day to be greeted excitedly by the children you have worked so hard to support. Founder of Hands Across the Water, Peter Baines, will join the ride along with two of the kids from Baan Home Hug. This adds to the richness of the experience as you share the road with these inspirational Hands ambassadors.

Overview

500km in 5 days: The Hands Across the Water rides are designed to be inclusive – meaning the goal is not to finish first, but to finish together. As a group you will travel 500km in 5 days, with a rest day in the middle. There is plenty of support both on and off the bike and there will be no shortage of people to help you achieve this incredible feat.

Stunning Scenery: Cycle through remote villages and witness the beauty of Northern Thailand as you embark on this life changing adventure. You’ll spend a lot of time taking in the views of the Mekong River before heading inland to a place called Yasothon.

Fundraise $5,000: Raise AU$5,000 to qualify for the ride, with 100% of fundraising going directly to the children in Thailand. We will support you with your fundraising every step of the way with access to our dedicated events and marketing team.

Meet the children: Finish the ride at Home Hug in Yasothon to be greeted warmly by the very children you have worked so hard to support. You’ll see firsthand the difference your phenomenal effort has made to so many lives.

Check out one of our recent rides in Thailand

Inclusions

8 Nights Twin Share Accommodation

23rd– 30th March inclusive

Hotels will be modest in their offering and often in remote areas. Wifi is not always available however majority of the hotels do have wifi services.

Hybrid Bike

You will be riding a hybrid bike which is a flat bar bicycle with tyres that are thinner than a mountain bike and thicker than a road bike.

You will have options to bring your own seats, seat covers, pedals and cleats and we will provide more information about this closer to the event.

Internal flights

You will fly domestically between Bangkok and Udon Thani which is the airport closest to the start of the ride. After you have completed your ride we will fly you from Ubon Ratchathani back to Bangkok.

Meals and Ground Transfers

Breakfast is provided at each hotel

Lunch on the ride days

Team dinner every evening with a final celebration dinner on the last night

Exception: lunch on the rest day is covered by the individual

Airport transfers not included

Custom Cycling Kit

Your registration includes a customised cycling jersey and gloves. You will have the opportunity to order matching knicks and additional kit if you choose. Alternatively you can bring your favourite pair of cycling knicks and they will suffice. Our kit comes from our great friends at Ollo and you won’t be disappointed.

Travel Bag and Team Shirt

You will receive a Hands Across the Water travel bag for the trip. You will be required to use this bag on the trip for your main luggage. There is plenty of room in the bag for the tour and additional clothing you might want to bring for holidays pre or post the ride.

Support crew and bike mechanics

We only work with the best and you will get to meet some of the nicest Thai people and support crew that you will have ever met. Nothing is too much trouble as long as you bring your manners. Our bike mechanics keep everything running tip top during your tour in Thailand.

Individual Fundraising Profile

Once you have registered and paid your $500 deposit, you will receive a link to your personal fundraising page. You can update this page with your story and share your unique link to start raising funds. The team at Hands are here to support you with ideas so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Training Program

You will receive a training program that will help prep you for your 500km journey. The key to your training will be time in the saddle as opposed to km’s ridden so even if the weather turns poor, you can get to the local gym or spin class to clock up your hours on the bike.

Dedicated ride coordinator

We have a team of people to help you through your journey but importantly there is a dedicated ride coordinator who is there to answer any questions about the ride and arrange any additional activities you might need to organise for your experience. We’re here to help so just ask!

Ride Communications

We’ll send you a rider information pack upon registration to get you on your way. You will also receive regular rider newsletters and invitations to a closed Facebook group where you will be able to support other riders and ask questions in a safe community.

I remember getting off the bike on the last day, and I was saddle sore, there was one little child and says “Come and grab my finger” and just led me into the thing and grabbed me a bottle of water and she just didn’t let go of my finger. And for me it was just gold. It’s just one of those moments that I’ll cherish forever.

Kevin H

It’s absolutely changed my whole world since that first ride. Having something in my life that was bigger than work or the things that you do here and being able to dedicate time to something that fills your soul full of absolute love – it’s incredible and it’s just allowed me to grow! I’ve changed who I am.

Erin T

It’s not until you are physically in Thailand that you fully understand and appreciate the opportunity afforded to all that attended. This was truly a life changing experience. There, you experience both emotional and physical challenges and get a true appreciation of the Thai people effected by such a tragic natural disaster and how your support really does make a positive impact in their daily lives.

Dan S

Whatever experience I’ve had in my life, this was pretty much all of those amazing things rolled into one.

Jodie C

“We’ve run a Hands Bike Ride for our clients for the last 4 years and it’s honestly one of the best business decisions we’ve ever made. Not only has it increased engagement between ourselves and our clients, but it has added an element to our business that I find hard to put into words.

It’s given our team and clients a purpose, something that brings us together other than our business, a common goal that we can work towards. We’ll be continuing these rides for many years to come and I would highly recommend it to other business owners.”

Emma LyonsGeneral Manager, Business Blueprint

“The Fisher & Paykel bike ride with Hands is an experience I will never forget. Not only was it experiencing the Thai culture, visiting the slums, riding into the orphanage at the end of the ride and fully understanding the charity, it is also a learning experience about yourself and your fellow riders. It is about the relationships you develop with each rider both personally and in a business sense. These meaningful relationships / bonds developed on the ride will last for years. An experience never to be forgotten.”

Grant MorseNew Zealand Country Manager, Narta

Proposed itinerary

Saturday 23rd March

Flights to Bangkok and overnight in Bangkok

Sunday 24th March

Flight to Udon Thani

Monday 25th March

Ride Day 1 – Pak Khat to Bueng kan (The ONE Hotel) – 65 km

Tuesday 26th March

Ride Day 2 – Bueng Kan to Ban Phaeng (JB Place Hotel) – 110 km

Wednesday 27th March

Ride Day 3 – Ban Phaeng to Nakhon Phanom (The River Hotel) – 102 km

Thursday 28th March

REST DAY

Friday 29th March

Ride Day 4 – Nakhon Phanom to Mukdahan (River City Hotel) – 114 km

Saturday 30th March

Ride Day 5 – Amnat Charoen to Yasothon (Green Park Hotel) – 82.2 km

Sunday 31st March

Flights back to Bangkok

Cost & Payment Details

The cost of the tour is $3,295.

International flights are not included in the tour price. You will need to arrange return flights to Bangkok.

A non-refundable deposit of AU$500 is required to secure your place on the ride. You will then receive a link to create your own unique fundraising page and your journey is underway!

The final balance payment will be due on 1 November 2018. Monthly payment plans are also available – pleasecontact usto arrange.

To participate, you must raise AU$5,000. 100% of funds raised go towards improving the lives of the children we support.

ERIN T: It’s absolutely changed my whole world since that first ride. Having something in my life that was bigger than work or the things that you do here and being able to dedicate time to something that fills your soul full of absolute love – it’s incredible and it’s just allowed me to grow. I’ve changed who I am.

I remember getting off the bike on the last day, and I was saddle sore, there was one little child and says “Come and grab my finger” and just led me into the thing and grabbed me a bottle of water and she just didn’t let go of my finger. And for me it was just gold. It’s just one of those moments that I’ll cherish forever.